The 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery Regiment headquartered in Newton plays an important role in Newton and also the security of America.
Lt. Col. David Alexander knows about it. He’s a 27-year veteran of the Mississippi National Guard and has been deployed multiple times with the guard before he receiving promotions, which he now serves as the deputy personnel officer working at the joint force headquarters in Jackson.
“The 204th is one of seven national guard battalions that have been commissioned to do what they do — short range air patrol,” Alexander said during the Newton County Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet. “Basically, they shoot airplanes and helicopters out of the sky from short distances… The 204th offers a weapons system that shoots closer in proximity to what they are protecting.”
Alexander said this is one of the reasons why they help patrol air space over sensitive areas such as Washington, D.C. Speaking of 9-11, Alexander said that it changed the role that the Newton battalion plays. The Newton battalion was called on to help patrol the nation’s capital in 2003
“So for about 300 people from Mississippi into to downtown Washington D.C. and take over an active mission, that was a pretty big deal for us,” Alexander said.
The battalion has been deployed multiple times since, with its most recent deployment ending in 2016. Alexander said they are getting ready for another deployment next year. Although it will not be disclosed where they are going prior to the mission, he said they will be heading to Europe next time.
Alexander also thanked the Chamber of Commerce its banquet theme, America the Beautiful.
“The family members sometimes feel like they are overlooked,” Alexander said. “The fact that you as a collective group have taken the time to recognize them, I think that’s very commendable.”
The Newton Chamber of Commerce also honored their Man and Woman of the Year. Aaron Brown, the 2018-2019 chamber president and co-owner of Zack Garvin’s Steakhouse, was presented with the Man of the Year honor.
“I love Zack Garvin’s,” Brown said. “I love the city to death. I live right down the road here on Main Street. When I drive in to work, I get to see this beautiful city every day.”
Dottie Armstrong, who owns the Secret Garden Art Studio and a retired Newton High School teacher, was presented with the Woman of the Year Award.
“I think there must have been some mistake about this,” Armstrong said. “I will gladly accept this award because I love Newton so much. When we moved here in 1974, we felt welcome the very first day. So thank y’all very much.”
